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H. 3004

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Cobb-Hunter and J.H. Neal
Document Path: l:\council\bills\dka\3029sl03.doc

Introduced in the House on January 14, 2003
Currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary

Summary: State Commission for Minority Affairs, powers and duties

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   12/4/2002  House   Prefiled
   12/4/2002  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   1/14/2003  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   1/14/2003  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-12

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/4/2002

TO AMEND SECTION 1-31-40, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS, SO AS TO INCLUDE AFRICAN AMERICANS, NATIVE AMERICANS, HISPANICS, ASIANS, AND OTHERS WITHIN THE MINORITY COMMUNITY AND TO FURTHER PRESCRIBE CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR MINORITY AFFAIRS RELATING TO RECOGNITION OF NATIVE AMERICAN ENTITIES, ESTABLISHING CERTAIN ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND SEEKING FUNDING FOR IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, NATIVE AMERICANS, HISPANICS, LATINOS, AND OTHER MINORITY GROUPS.

Whereas, the Commission for Minority Affairs was established in 1993 with powers and duties to aid the minority community; and

Whereas, the minority population of South Carolina continues to grow and becomes more diverse such that the needs of other minority groups, who too are experiencing poverty and deprivation at disproportionate rates compared to the majority population; and

Whereas, these groups, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, and other minority groups seek government services and assistance that culturally and linguistically are appropriate; and

Whereas, minority populations have as a part of their community local groups which seek the assistance of governmental entities, such as the commission; and

Whereas, these local groups throughout the State are initiating programs to relieve the socio-economic deprivation of African Americans and other minority groups in their communities; and

Whereas, these community-based groups have requested the assistance of the commission's staff and have indicated that they would benefit greatly from clear state-based leadership. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 1-31-40 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 164 of 1993, is amended to read:

"Section 1-31-40.    (A)    The commission shall:

(1)    provide the minority community consisting of African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and others, with a single point of contact for statistical and technical assistance in the areas of research and planning for a greater economic future;

(2)    work with minority officials on the state, county, and local levels of government in disseminating statistical data and its impact on their constituencies;

(3)    provide for publication of a statewide statistical abstract on minority affairs;

(4)    provide statistical analyses for members of the General Assembly on the state of minority communities as the State experiences economic growth and changes;

(5)    provide the minority community with assistance and information on Voting Rights Act submissions in the State, as well as other related areas of concern to the minority community.;

(6)    determine, approve, and acknowledge by certification state recognition for Native American entities;

(7)    establish advisory committees representative of minority groups, as it considers appropriate to advise the board;

(6)(8)    act as liaison with the business community to provide programs and opportunities to fulfill its duties under this chapter;

(9)    seek federal and other funding on behalf of the State of South Carolina for the express purpose of implementing various programs and services for African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, and other minority groups; and

(7)(10)    perform other duties necessary to implement programs.     (B)    The commission may delegate these powers and duties as necessary."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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